“In fact,” he continues, his voice lowering until it brushes against my ear, “it almost seems like I ruined something for you.”
My eyes narrow slightly.
“What was it?” he murmurs darkly. “Your little moment?”
My grip tightens around the knife, the leather biting into my palm as I slowly roll my wrist, easing the tension just enough to stay in control.
“The part where you get your key… remove that collar… free yourself.” His gaze drifts to my neck, lingering on the cursed necklace before lifting back to my face.
And when it does—there’s something in his eyes. Ugly.
Possessive.
It makes my skin crawl.
“…and pretend you’re not just a chained dog in front of everyone?”
The words land. Not because they hurt—but because of where we are.
And who’s watching.
I feel it immediately, the s
